Because your gadgets need to be clean inside as well.

Gadgets have now become a staple part of everyone’s life. From smartphones to the rising popularity of smart home devices, there is a never-ending list of gadgets that have somehow made life easier for everyone.

But just like physical belongings, these gadgets tend to get overstuffed and get filled with unnecessary clutter – which is why it’s best that you do some spring-cleaning for your gadgets as well.

Here are a few tips that you can do to remove clutter on your devices and make them run like brand new again.

Remove apps that you don’t use – Have a look at your smartphone, tablet or even your notebook and sort out the apps and software that you haven’t used in a while. Once you’ve sorted them, have another run through and then delete those apps that you no longer need. You’ll get more free space (especially if your smartphone doesn’t have expandable memory) and the lesser the content the faster your phone will be.

Change passwords – This can be tricky especially for some users that can’t always remember passwords. But for the sake of security, it is still advisable that you regularly change your passwords and to make it different from every account. You can also use a password manager app to keep track of your passwords if you have trouble remembering them.

Enable 2FA – Aside from changing passwords, it is also advisable that you turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) on all your accounts that support it. This will let you add an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access to your account – especially if it contains sensitive information. 2FA usually requires a mobile device since it will send a code to your number to confirm each login. Additionally, there are also apps that will provide a code just in case your smartphone isn’t available to receive messages.

Reformat your operating system – Reinstalling an operating system can always make it as good as new. While this is a rather complicated step, reformatting and reinstalling your operating system can eliminate errors that currently exist on the system. Personally, I reformat my notebooks every 3-4 years, to which I can still use it as good as new.

Back-up – Be sure to make regular backups of your system and/or smartphone. This can be done through backup software or simply making a copy of your personal files like photos and videos on a separate drive just in case something happens. By making these regular backups, you don’t have to worry about your devices acting up since you know you’d always have a backup.

Refrain from connecting to free Wi-Fi hotspots – While it’s tempting to connect to free Wi-Fi on malls and other public places, it’s always recommended that you still connect on your own data connection especially if you’re doing any banking transactions. If you can’t avoid connecting to free Wi-Fi, always remove that particular hotspot you’ve connected to right after you’re finished using it. Public hotspots are usually the place where hackers target customers unaware that they’re sending private information. If your connection is intercepted, there’s a good chance that it can steal your passwords and take advantage of some of your personal accounts.

Check the permissions you’ve given to your apps – On your smartphone, head to each of your app’s settings and recheck which permissions you’ve given to it. If you feel that there is something that shouldn’t be shared, turn it off. This may be a difficult task before, but the new versions of iOS and Android have revamped its app permissions page, so it’s easy for you to know what apps have access to your personal data.

Do you have any of your own tips and tricks to improve your digital lifestyle? Share it with us in the comments below!

Tech Enthusiast and Movie Buff. Passionate for all things tech - you’ll normally find him tinkering with the latest gadgets and computer peripherals. He is an avid collector of Blu-ray discs and occasionally plays on his Xbox.